Physician&#39;s bag



J. P. TARBOX PHYSICIANS BAG Jan. 27, 1959 Filed May 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l imm!! Jan. 27, 1959 J. P. TARBOX PHYSICIAN'S BAG 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed May 14, 1954 Ii. l l

Jan. 27, 1959 J, p TARBOX 2,870,904

PHYSICIANS BAG Filed May 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 2,870,904 i PrrYsIciANs BAG John P. Tarbox, Philadelphia, Pa. Application May 14, 1954, Serial No. 429,907 i 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-12) This invention relates to containers including multiple drawers and methods of` fabricating the same. While particularly applicable to physicians bags, the invention will be found useful in connection with carrying cases of every type and stationary storage structure also may be made in accordance withthe invention.

ln the past, multiple-drawer structures have ybeen more or less characterized `by sharp corners formed by Walls j i.

` provided a single deep-drawing die by means of which a metal blank may, in one or two passes, take the shape of the die simultaneously to` form `tive `intersecting walls of the final container. The die is` provided with ribs simultaneously to form a plurality of corrugations which lization in the olce.

physician can maintain in his car a storage compartment extend at least along opposite sides of the body portion of the container, and preferably also along the wall forming a common closure to the `connecting four sides. After completion of the single drawing operation, the body portion` including the corrugations is ready to receive a plurality of drawers which themselves may be fabricated in a single die and provided with protruding structure to engage the corrugations for slidable movement into and out of the body portion. The Icontainer die itself may again beused to draw `a second blank of material into shape with rounded corners, thus toform a closure member for the container.

In the preferred form of the invention two closure` members will be provided, the second readily provided by severing a wall ofthe body portion along a circumferential line disposed just ybeyond a rounded corner of the body portion. While other objects and advantages of the invention will `be pointed out in the more detailed description, an-d other features of construction more particularly set forth, there will now be presented abrief discussion of how the` present invention particularly meets the requirements of a sanitary physicians bag.

Physicians bags are today to substantialdegree of the same design and configuration they have been during the past generation. They are characterized by a `single large storage space, and frequently with holders on a lid for a plurality of reagents and` medicines. In the examination and treatment ,of different patients, different instruments will `be needed, some of the most used of them frequently being located at the bottom of the zbag,

Frequently the physician is called into the presence of a patient ill of a disease, the character of which has not manifested itself. The disease not then permissive of diagnosis may be .of a highly contagious type capable of contaminating the physicians instruments and his hag.

2,870,904 Patented Jan. 27, 1959y The physician should be aided in his efforts to prevent the spread of disease yby making it possible for him `to place the used and possibly contaminated instruments in his case in a manner to prevent the spread of contamination to any of the other instruments in the case. Those bags which fall short of this possibility require the physician to be constantly on `guard against the placing of used instruments in his bag or case. During epidemics where he is required to call upon one patient after the other, the resources of his bag may become exhausted, all initially sterile instruments and their accessories having been used on patients-all to the detriment of the cleanliness of the bag. There` will then be required replenishment of instruments and medication.

In accordance with thepresent invention, the physicians Vbag is preferably constructed of a reagent-resisting and heat-resisting metal, such as stainless steel with rounded corners throughout and without sharp corners or any recesses, grooves or other regions diilicult to sterii lize. There are provided a plurality of trays which may be selectively and individually withdrawn from the body portion of the bag to make easily accessible the necessary v instruments, medicines and reagents. There is provided a liquid type of sterilizer, and there is also provided storage space for used instruments which cannot be re-used until subject to thorough steam or high-temperature steri- By utilizing removable trays, the

containing additional trays, each of which will be a duplicate of that normally included in his carrying case.

Thus, as the contents of one tray have either become contaminated or the contents thereof been exhausted, he may simply replace it with another `fully stocked tray andy continue with his calls. Upon his return to office or hospital not only the trays and contents may be sterilized, but the case as a whole may be again made sterile.

In accordance with a further feature of the inven-- tion, a removable cover of washable material is provided for the bag itself which not only enhances its appearance, but which also protects the metal from abrasions and extends the life thereof. Since the cover is removable, it can be` cleaned or renewed to maintain a new and clean appearance for the bag as a whole.`

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawj ings in which:

Fig. l` is an end sectional view of a carrying case embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line substantially corresponding to line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the carrying case `taken along the line substantially corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of the carrying case with the front lid removed;

Fig. 5 is alfragmentary front elevation of the of the front lid; i

Figs. 6 and 7 are fractional detailed views of end designs of tray-supporting ribs or ledges;

Fig. 8 is a sectional `View of a` punch anddie used in the forming of the body portion of the case;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the punch `and die of- Fig. 8-as it is used in the manufactureof the front lid;

Fig. `l0 is a sectional view of the fabricated portions of thecarrying case produced by the punch and die of Figs. 8 and 9; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the punch and die of Figs. 8 and 9 as used in forming the top li-d. i

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly` to Figs. l and 2, a carrying case embodying thepresent interior invention is shown and generally identified by the numeral 20. The carrying case 20 comprises a body portion 21 and a pair of lids 22, 23. The container is of general rectangular or box-like configuration, in the construction and design of which care has been exercised yto avoid all sharp cornersl to prevent the accumulation of foreign matter, dust and the like, and to enhance the ease of cleaning the internal surfaces thereof. The body portion 21 and the lids 22, 23 may be formed of heatresisting and corrosion-resisting metals such as stainless steel, aluminum or other metals of similar characteristic. The body portion 21 and lids 22, 23v may be stamped out from individual pieces of sheet metal in a manner hereinafter described.

The body portion 21 is opened at two adjacent sides thereof and a complete enclosure or carrying case 26 is provided by pivotally mounting the lids 22, 23 respectively at diagonally opposite edges of the body portion. The lids 22, 23 are respectively mounted by way of hinges 24, 25 which in turn are secured to the body portion by means of bolts or screws (not shown) but which are fastened from the interior of the carrying case to prevent tampering when the case is locked. The case may 'be locked by providing at least one clasp 26 of the type illustrated and having its cooperating members respectively mounted or otherwise secured to the lids 22, 23 in a manner similar to the securing of the hinges 24, 25.

v in carrying out a light-weight but sturdy construction, the lids 22, 23 and the body portion 21 are provided with spaced ribs or corrugations. The direction taken by the corrugations is optional. However, in a preferred arrangement, ribs 27 extend in a horizontal plane about the inner surface of the body portion 21 and the lid 22; ribs or corrugations 2S extend across the top lid 23 in direction of the long dimension of the case; and ribs 29 extend along the bottom of the body portion in direction transverse to the ridges 28. n

The case 20 may be provided with supporting legs 30 mounted on the underside of the case as by way of Screws 31. The legs 30, made of rubber or similar shock-absorbing material, are of a length such that when the front lid4 22 is in its full open position, as illustrated by dotted lines, it Will be supported in a horizontal position by the surface upon which the legs rest.

A handle 32 may be secured to the outer surface of the top lid to enhance the portability of the case 2t). The manner of securing the handle should preferably lend itself to the easy removal of the handle for reasons hereinafter to be set forth.

The instruments, articles and other materials to be transported in the case are kept in compartmentalized trays 33, 34 and 35. The number of trays is optional. However, in the present embodiment when the carrying case is to be used as a physicians bag, a total of three trays is` deemed adequate to accommodate all the material to be usedV by a physician for house calls.

The trays 33-35 are respectively slidably mounted within the case 20 on tray-supporting ribs or ledges 36, 37, 38 formed at opposite sides of the body portion 21. The tray-supporting ribs or ledges 36-38 form an integral part of the body .portion 21 and thereby obviate the presence of cracks, crevices, or lapped seams otherwise present when supporting means of like function are provided by material added and secured to the inner surface of a carrying case.

The trays 33-35 are formed by stamping from individual pieces of sheet metal such as aluminum or other material having readily deformable characteristics. The use or" stainless steel has also been successful and in many applications may prove most desirable where highly corrosive materials are to be carried in the trays. They may also be molded of plastic materials, as indeed may the carrying case itself. The trays 33-35 are respectively supported Aon the ledges 36-33 by means of ilange 4 like beards 39, and 41. The beads 39-41, formed integrally with the main bodies of their respective trays, extend about the entire peripheries of the trays and extend outwardly to slidably engage respectively the ledges 36-38.

Through the use of a suitable punch and die arrangement hereinafter described, the sides of the trays are provided with vertical depressions 42 for accommodating partition elements 43 which divide the various trays into a desired number of compartments. Although otherwise sho-wn, the trays 33-35 may be provided with an equal number of evenly spaced depressions 42, the nurnber of compartments then being Variable by the number and location of the various partition elements 43. The depths of the various trays may be identical or as shown, may vary, the lower tray 35 being deeper than the others. However, by proper design all the trays including those of different depth may be formed by the use of a single die. As in the design of the carrying case, the various trays are devoid of sharp corners and all changes in configuration are gradual to avoid sharply defined corners where dirt, bacteria and the like may accumulate.

Access to the contents of the top tray 33 may be had by opening the top lid 23 as by swinging it about the hinge 25. Ifdesired, the top tray may be slidably withdrawn from the confines of the case 2t) upon the opening of the front or side lid 22. However, in the particular embodiment illustrated, such slidable movement ofthe top tray is precluded by provision in the configuration of the topmost tray-supporting ribs 36 of inwardly disposed portions 36a (Fig. 3) which form stops to prevent slidable motion of thetop tray 33, but do not interfere with its vertical movement.

The middle tray 34 may be partially withdrawn from the carrying case 20 by sliding it along the tray-supporting lribs 37 to a position illustrated by dotted lines. Iny

. being moved outwardly from the case 20, the tray 34 carries with it lower tray 35 through an engagement of a stamped-out depending expression or boss 44 engaging the forward portion 41a of bead 41 of the lower tray. The boss 44 may be extended across `the bottom of tray 30 or, alternatively, several bosses may be provided. It

is to be observed that in the movement only the contents of the middle tray 34 will be exposed, the lower tray 35 being substantially covered by the middle tray. In its withdrawn position, the tray 34 is supported in part by the tray-supporting ribs 37 and by the lower tray 35. The lower tray 35 may be independently withdrawn to a position where its contents may be made available by sliding it along its associated tray-supporting ribs or ledges 38.

With the front lid 22 in a full open position and horizontally disposed as illustrated by dotted lines, there is provided a means for supporting the lower tray 35 as it is withdrawn from the case 20 to a position illustrated by dotted lines where it is wholly removed from the coniines of the body portion 21. The means providing the supporting function includes with the front lid 22 an irnplement-retaining member or cover 45 mounted on the inner surface of the lid, and in this case substantially coextensive therewith. With this construction both the middle tray 34 and the lower tray 35 may be withdrawn to the dotted line positions shown so that their contents are simultaneously available. A pair of depressions 45a are made in the surface of the member 45 and are of configuration complementary to the depending bosses 46 extending below the bottom surface of the tray 35. The depressions 45a serve a guiding function for regulating the direction of movement of the tray 35 after it has been withdrawn from contact with its associated supporting ribs 38. The pair of bosses 46 may be replaced by a single extendedboss and similarly a single complementary depression 45a may -be provided in the :member 45 to serve the same function. In the fully extended position shownV by the dotted lines .of Fig. l, the middle form.

ribs 37 and thebottorn tray 35, while the bottom trayis supported wholly "by themember 45and thefront cover 22.

The lower tray 35 may be withdrawn partially from thefconnes of the case and then if the contents of .the middle tray 34 are simultaneously desired, the lower tray maybe fullywithdrawn and the middlewtray will be carried with it by Contact of the rearmost portions 41b offfbead` 41 ofthe lower drawer or ltray and the after portion `ofi the boss 44 of the middle tray 34.v

The outward movement of the middle tray 34 is limited by a stop arrangement including the `rearmost portion of the depending jboss` 47 of the upper `tray `33 and i the backportion 4Gb of the bead 40 of tray 34. The i maximum withdrawal of the lower tray 35 is limited by cooperation between the `stop `arrangement for the tray 34 andfengagement of the rear portion 41h Aof bead 41 of` the `tray 35 and the rearmost portion of the boss 40 of trayl 34. "In addition,` the withdrawal of the lower `tray 32 may be further limited by contact ofits boss `46 with "the end of the depression 45a.

The contents of the trays 33-35 may bevaried to suit individual requirements in a manner made easy by the readily movable partition elements 43. For example, pro`- visionhas been made in the top tray 33 for accommodating a sterilizer 43 `which will contain various instruments designed for oral and other similar physical contact with patients. Thesterilizer 48 will be partially filled with an `antiseptic liquid. A seal between its cover 48a andfwalls will prevent spillage of theantiseptic. 'The sterilizer 48 may be readily removed through the top of the `carrying case 20. The ease of replacement suggests that where a relatively extensive" time interval is required to complete sterilization of the instruments, a

S the contents of one tray have either become contaminated or exhausted, he may simply replace the tray and con; tinue with his calls;` At the oliice the trays and contents `may be sterilized and the bag or carrying case itself similarly may be treated.

` In order to present a professional appearance to the exterior of the carrying case 20, there are provided a plurality of individual skin fitted `iinish covers 53, 54 and 55 respectively associated with the body portion 21 and the lids 22, 23 of the case 20. The covers 53-55 are made of `washable material `and` are designed to lbe easily removed forcleaningpurposes. Upon becoming worn or damaged, theyK may be readily replaced, individually or as agroup." Therefore, with minimum expenditure, the appearance of the case may be maintained in keeping with the professional status of the user. This feature is important to physicians who `find it necessary to replace the entire bag or carrying `case because it has been damaged through normal hard use and has become unsightly according to the standards of the profession. The covers may be of any desired relief design or color.

physician may have onhand, in his automobile, several sterilizei-s and patients.` i

`Bottles 49 or similar liquid containers may be transinstruments to be used in turn on successive i ported in a separate holderSll which also may be located in the toptray 33. The other compartments may be used to contain tongue blades, cotton `applicators and hypodermic syringes. The `hypodermic needles will be stored in individual sterile holders.

The compartments of tray 34 may be arranged to` contain various medicines and opiates, tapes, gauze and The`covers 53-55 are respectively provided with resilient beads 53m-55a of enlarged cross section which extend about the periphery ofthe covers. lThe covers are so mounted and arranged that the beads will cooperate with each other when the lids 22, 23.are in closed position to provide a substantially dust-free seal `for contents of the case 20. i As illustrated in Fig. 4, the bead 55a of the topjlid cover55 cooperates with the bead 53a of the body portion cover 53 to providethe seal between the body portion and the top lid. The `forward portions of the beads 53a and 55a are disposed in a single plane and with the bead 54a of the front lid cover 54 cooperae to form the seal between the front lid and the remaining portions of the case 20.

The elastic covers 53-55 may be readily mounted on theirrespective component parts of the case 20 by a mere stretching ofthe beaded portions 53a-55a over the edges of` the lids and the body portion. To this end, the perimetral length of the beaded portions is made less than the perimetral length of the edge of the body orlid portions over which they are stretched. The simplicity of this task is made obvious when itis compared to the placement of an elasticized cover over the open end of a bowlor similar container.

For the mounting of the cover 53 on the body portion 21, the tray-supporting ribs are cut back at an acute angle in manner shown in Fig. 6 to permit the bead 53a to make rangements 52. As shown, the latches or clip springs 52 may be secured under the screw heads mounting the hinges 24 (Fig. l). The storage space thus afforded may be used in a manner discretionary with the user, either for implements or supplies. Although not illustrated, a `similararrangement may be provided in conjunction with the top lid 23. As shown, themember 45 is provided `with a relatively large and expansive dat surface area which may be used by the physician as a writing platf i The front lid 22 is maintained in closed position when the top lid 23 `is opened by an arrangement including at least one spring clip 53, fastened to the implement plate 45 and adapted to snap over the front portion 39a of the top tray bead 39.

In taking advantage of the removable tray featureof `intimate Contact with the edge of the body portion. The tray-supporting rib 38 is illustrated as representative of the other ribs 36,37. Alternatively, the ribs 36-38, as`

`generically represented in Fig. 7 by rib 38a, may be recessed at the leading edge to accommodate the bead 53a. In either arrangement, the bead 53a is positioned adjacent the path of movement of the trays and may be subject to contact by the flange-like beads of the trays as the trays are moved back and forth on their respective supporting ribs. Accordingly, in order to prevent damage to the bead 53a, the various flange-like beads are rounded to present a smooth surface to the cover bead 53a.

In adding or removing the elastic covers 53-55, it will be necessary to remove the various hardware, such as the hinges 24, 25, the clasps 26, the legs 30 and the handle 32 from the case 20. Alternatively, the various covers 53-55 may be apertured and so slotted so as to be placed about the hardware described above as indicated in the case of handle 32.

Although i the present invention has been described specifically as applicable to use by a physician, it is to be understood that the carrying case may be used as a general tool box. Fishermen will also appreciate the advantages of the present invention which may also find application on commerciall aircraft for transporting and storing trays of prepared meals served in ight.

In Figs. 8-11 there is disclosed the method of forming the component parts of the carrying case 20 by the. use of a single punch and die arrangement. The body portion and top cover are formed as a single integral unit by a die 60 which receives a sheet metal blank and is of an overall dimension equal to the size of the body portion 21 and the top lid 23. The die 60 is provided with a plurality of raised parallel ribs `61'which extend along two opposite sides and across the bottom surface of the die for forming in the sheet metal blank the corrugations 27 and the tray-supporting ribs 36-.38 of the body portion 21. In the embodiment illustrated, alternate ribs 61 are enlarged, as identified by the numeral 61a, and extend from the bottom to the top of opposite sides of the die. They cooperate with complementary depressions in the punch 62 to form in the sheetl metal blank the traysupporting ribs 36-38. The die 60 is provided with additional vertically extending ribs 63 which cooperate with complementary depressions in the punch 62 to form the reinforcing corrugations or ribs 29 extending along what will be the bottom of the body portion 21. The die 60 is divided horizontally along the line 65 to constitute a separable lower portion 6017 which can conveniently be used alone as shown in Figs. 9 and 11.

After the formation of the body portion -21and the top lid 23, the upper portion 60a of the die 60 is removed and the punch 62 and the lower portion 60b ofthe die operate on a separate piece of sheet metal to form the front lid 22. The ribs 61 extending along the bottomof the die 60b cooperate with the complementary depressions in the punch 62 to form the reinforcing corrugations 27 in the front cover 22. The cover 22 thus formed is of configuration identical with that part of the body portion 21 which forms the closed side opposite the cover.

The top lid 23 may be then severed from the completed body portion 21 as shown in Fig. v10. The manner of severance is at the discretion of the operator. The lids 22, 23 may now be assembled to the body portion 21 'as shown in Fig. 1.

The top lid 23 may be of plain surface that `is without corrugations (Fig. However, in interest of -maximum strength, it is desirable to add the longitudinally extending corrugations or ribs 28. The corrugations '28 may vbe formed on top lid 23 by placing it in the bottom portion 6flb of the die 60 (Fig. 11) where the `ridges 61 will cooperate with complementary depressions in' the punch 62 to draw the corrugations or ribs. Alternatively, the ribs 2S extend transversely and in such casemay be formed in the initial drawing operation illustrated in Fig. 8 by providing the die 6d with ribs similar to and on an opposite wall from the rib 63. These additional ribs are not shown, the manner of their addition to and disposition on the die being obvious from the description above.

It is to be observed that alltlie stamping or drawing operations for the carrying case are eifected through the use of a single punch and die arrangement. It will `be understood, of course, that at the option of an operator a series of dies may be used for performing the function of the single punch and die arrangement disclosed above. For example, the use of the single die predetermines the direction to be taken by the reinforcing ribs 27 and 28 respectively of the lids 22, 23. Through the use of an additional separate lower die, the corrugations or general reinforcing deformation made in the top and front lids may take on any suitable configuration.

Various changes may be made in the punch and die arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the punch 62 may be replaced by a hydraulic arrangementy (not shown.) comprising a flexible bag to be inserted in the die 60 adjacent the sheet metal and expanded under tremendous pressure to force the sheet metal into conformity with the die. This and similar die arrangements for operations on metals and plastics aredescribed kin the April, 1954 issue of Fortune, a magazine, at page 155.

8 Now that the invention has been described, it is apparent that modicationsmay be made wwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A physicians bag characterized by the provision of a body portion, closure means, and .traysmade of heatresisting and reagent-resisting metal, all `of said metall parts having a self-cleaning construction characterized by round corners and the absence of sharp corners, saidl body portion having a plurality of inwardly extending ribs along opposite sides thereof, said trays havingsupporting elements cooperating with said ribs for sole support of said trays within said body portion, said trays being interlocked for collective withdrawal inl a connected series l but selectively independently removable and separable from said body portion and from each other, said closure means having a configuration substantially identical with the side of said body'portionpopposite that of said closure means and comprising alid pivoted at the bottom of said body portion and movable to an open position, said lidin its open position having tray guiding structure disposed in the path of a. bottom tray and engageable with complementary interlocking structure on the bottom of said bottom tray, said bottom tray being movable outwardly of said body portion to expose the contents of said bottom tray and movable an additional distance along said guiding structure to a position completely without said body portion and beyond said ribs and in such position supported only by said lid, and the tray next to the bottom tray when interlocked therewith being jointly supported by said bottom tray and certain of said ribs.

2. A physicians bag characterized by the provision of a body portion, closure means, and trays made of heatresisting and Vreagent-resisting material, all of said-` parts having a self-cleaning construction characterized by round corners and the absence of sharp corners within the interior of the bag, said body portion having a plurality of inwardly extending ribs along opposite sides thereof, said trays being Vof variable depth and each having an outwardly extending rim portion supportedby and slidable on said ribs, said ribs forming the sole support of said trays while disposed within said body portion, keach of said trays having a depression extending downwardly from the bottom wall and to a position below a horizontal plane coinciding with the upper edge of the tray below it for interlocking said trays for collective withdrawal in a connected series, said trays being selectively and independently removable and separable from said body portion and from each other, said closure means having a side portion with a configuration substantially identical with the side portion of said body opposite that of said one part of said closure means, said closure means including a top portion hinged to said body portion and movable between open and closed positions, said side portion of said closure means having tray-guiding structure disposed in the path of the bottom tray and engageable with complementary interlockving structure on the bottom of said bottom tray, said bottom tray being movable outwardly of said body portion to expose the contents of said bottom tray and movable an additional distance along said guiding structure to a position completely outside of said body portion and beyond said ribs and in such position supported only by said side portion of said closure, the tray next-above said bottom tray when interlocked therewith being; jointly supported by said bottom tray and certain of said ribs, said top and side portions of said closure means being proportioned so that the inwardly facing edges thereof abut the outwardly facing edges of the walls of said body portion, the upper edge of said side portion and the lower edge of said top-portion meeting in face-to-face relation in the closed positions thereof.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lutz June 13, 1899 Henley Oct. 31, 1899 Wilson Aug. 11, 1903 Duffy Apr. 13, 1909 Wheary Jan. l, 1918 Cygan Ian. 5, 1926 Ward Feb. 16, 1926 Kennedy Dec. 11, 1934 Peterson Sept. 27, 1938 John et al. Mar. 7, 1939 Conner Apr. 4, 1939 10 Held May 9, 1939 Irelan Aug. 20, 1940 Levensten Sept. 24, 1940 Koch Mar. 3, 1942 Ramsdell May 5, 1942 Harbson June 2, 1942 Wegman Dec. 19, 1944 Moberg Jan. 30, 1951 Wriston Aug. 28, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 13, 1901 France June 20, 1932 

